adhere to rule

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "adhere to rule" is not entirely correct in English; it should be "adhere to the rule" or "adhere to rules." You can use it when discussing compliance with specific guidelines or regulations.
Example: "All employees are expected to adhere to the rule regarding workplace conduct."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

I realize that this fine is more than most M.T.A. workers make in a month, but I sincerely hope that the amount motivates Davis to make necessary adjustments to adhere to rule changes designed to make my life better.

The New Yorker

Mr. Putin is going to have to make the decision as to whether or not he wants to adhere to rule of law and normal accounting practices so that if countries and-or entities invest capital there's a reasonable rate of return, a way to get the money out of the economy.

The New York Times

He urged the committee to adhere to Rule 50 of the Olympic charter, which says that "no kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted" at any Olympic site.

The New York Times - Sports

Know your passenger rights Airlines used to adhere to Rule 240 -- the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) regulation that required airlines to put passengers on the next available flight should a mechanical or service-related delay occur -- even if the next flight was offered by a competitor.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Outside the factory, they foster a business environment that adheres to rule by law.

The New York Times - Books

ASEAN countries were elated; China was furious, since it wants to negotiate with each of its neighbours bilaterally, where it has more of an advantage.The basic lesson here is that large countries gain influence and power when they adhere to rule-based international systems that give smaller countries a fair shake.

The Economist

One can fully appreciate the frustration of some British Library users, who respect and adhere to rules and traditions.

The Guardian - Opinion

People find it difficult to concentrate on their work or even to adhere to rules in playing games.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Regulators have a duty to regulate effectively, but as this research has shown, regulation can create perverse incentives to adhere to rules.

The Guardian

But it should adhere to rules regarding "exceptional access" that limit the amount of lending it can do, as these rules work to guard against moral hazard.

The Economist

Foreign service officers adhere to rules and customs that are of long standing and have proved indispensable to governments in conducting their international relations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for grammatical precision, favor phrases like "adhere to the rule" or "adhere to rules" over "adhere to rule". The use of the article "the" or the plural form provides clarity and aligns with standard English usage.

Common error

Avoid omitting the article "the" before "rule" or failing to pluralize "rule" when referring to multiple rules. "Adhere to rule" is less common and may sound awkward. Instead, use "adhere to the rule" or "adhere to rules".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adhere to rule" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating an action of compliance or conformity. While often used, Ludwig AI suggests that the phrasing is grammatically questionable and it is better to use "adhere to the rule" or "adhere to rules".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "adhere to rule" implies compliance with a guideline but is best phrased as "adhere to the rule" (singular) or "adhere to rules" (plural) for grammatical correctness. While understandable, Ludwig AI emphasizes the importance of article usage for clarity. Alternatives include "follow the rule" or "comply with the rule". Predominantly found in news and media contexts, its register is neutral, denoting general informational use. Pay close attention to article usage to ensure precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

follow the rule

Replaces "adhere" with the more common and direct verb "follow".

comply with the rule

Uses "comply" to emphasize obedience to a specific regulation.

abide by the rule

Emphasizes acceptance and observation of the rule.

observe the rule

Focuses on the action of watching and following the rule.

conform to the rule

Stresses alignment and agreement with the regulation.

act in accordance with the rule

A more formal way to express compliance.

respect the rule

Highlights the importance of showing deference to the regulation.

be governed by the rule

Indicates that actions are controlled by the regulation.

be subject to the rule

Suggests the rule has authority over the person or entity.

uphold the rule

Implies maintaining or defending the rule.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "adhere to rule"?

While understandable, "adhere to rule" is not the most grammatically precise phrase. It's better to use "adhere to the rule" or "adhere to rules". Consider alternatives such as "follow the rule" or "comply with the rule".

What's the difference between "adhere to the rule" and "adhere to rules"?

"Adhere to the rule" refers to following a specific, singular rule. "Adhere to rules" refers to following multiple regulations or a system of rules. The choice depends on whether you're talking about one rule or several.

What are some alternatives to "adhere to rule"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "follow the rule", "comply with the rule", "abide by the rule", or "observe the rule".

How do I use "adhere to the rule" in a sentence?

You can use "adhere to the rule" in sentences like, "All employees must adhere to the rule regarding workplace safety." Remember to specify which rule you are referring to.